What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Texas?
Truck accidents often leave behind serious damage, painful injuries, and long-lasting effects. These crashes aren’t like typical fender-benders. When a big rig collides with a car, the outcome can be severe—and what happens next matters a lot. You’re probably asking, “What should I do after a truck accident in Texas?” It’s an important question because what you do (or don’t do) following a truck crash can significantly affect your chances of obtaining compensation.
Read more: What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Texas?Truck accident claims come with unique challenges. You’re not just dealing with the driver—you might face off against a large trucking company, commercial insurance policies, and a mountain of records and regulations.
Read on to learn what to do after the crash, how to protect your rights, and what a Texas truck accident attorney can do to support your case. Don’t wait too long—get help right away and contact a Texas truck accident lawyer near you for a free consultation.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
Right after a crash, your actions can affect your health, safety, and any legal case you may later pursue. Taking the right steps protects you and strengthens your claim.
Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Move to a safe spot if you can. If your car still works, turn on your hazard lights and get out of traffic. Check yourself and others for injuries. Even if you feel okay, let medical professionals check you out—some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Delaying treatment gives the trucking company an excuse to downplay your injuries.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
Call 911 right away. The police will write an official report, which is a key piece of evidence for your case. Give the officers facts, not guesses. Don’t admit fault or downplay your injuries, even if you’re trying to be polite.
Document the Accident Scene
If you’re able, take photos or videos. Focus on the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, license plates, and any company logos on the truck. Snap pictures of your injuries too. This helps show exactly what happened and how severe the crash was.
Exchange Information with All Parties
Get the truck driver’s name, contact info, license number, and employer details. Don’t forget to ask for their insurance information. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact details as well. Their stories might help confirm yours later.
Avoid Making Statements to Insurance Companies
You may get a call from the truck driver’s insurer within hours or days. Don’t give them a recorded statement or sign anything without legal advice. These companies often try to twist your words or rush you into a low offer.
What Should I Do If I’m at Home or in the Hospital Recovering?
Recovery doesn’t mean you’re off the clock when it comes to your case. While resting, you can still make progress.
- Keep all medical records. These include discharge papers, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments. They show the full picture of your injuries and how they’ve affected your life.
- Start a journal. Write down your symptoms, pain levels, sleep patterns, and how your injuries have changed your daily routine.
- Hold off on repairs. If your car was damaged, don’t fix it yet. An attorney may need to inspect it or take photos.
- Avoid social media. Insurance adjusters sometimes look for posts or pictures that suggest your injuries aren’t serious.
- Contact a lawyer. Let a professional start building your case while you focus on getting better.
Why Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Truck crash claims don’t follow the same rules as regular car wrecks. The companies and policies behind big rigs often make things more complicated—and harder to handle alone.
Multiple Liable Parties in Truck Accidents
In car crashes, the blame usually falls on one driver. In truck accidents, the responsibility might be shared between the truck driver, the trucking company, a parts manufacturer, or a cargo loader. Each of these parties may point fingers at someone else.
Complex Federal and State Regulations
Commercial trucks must follow strict rules set by both the federal government and the state of Texas. These cover everything from rest breaks to weight limits. Breaking even one of these rules can affect your case.
Severity of Injuries and Damages
Because of their size and weight, trucks can cause serious injuries even at low speeds. These crashes often result in longer hospital stays, higher medical bills, and more time off work.
Specialized Insurance Policies and Coverage
Truck drivers usually carry large insurance policies. While that might seem like a good thing, it often means fighting a team of adjusters and lawyers hired to avoid large payouts.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Texas?
Texas gives injured people a limited time to act. Waiting too long could cost you the chance to recover anything.
Understanding Texas Statute of Limitations
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline applies to injury claims and property damage.
Exceptions to the Standard Filing Deadline
Some cases allow extra time, such as when the injured person is a minor or mentally unable to file. Suing a government agency for poor road conditions may require special notice within six months.
Why Acting Quickly Benefits Your Case
Evidence can vanish fast—videos get deleted, vehicles get repaired, and witnesses forget details. Getting a lawyer involved early helps preserve the facts and gives your case a stronger foundation.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Texas Truck Accident?
Truck crash victims may be entitled to more than just repairs and doctor bills. A fair settlement should cover all the ways the crash hurt you—financially and otherwise.
Medical Expenses and Ongoing Treatment Costs
This includes ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, and any future care you may need. Keep your receipts and bills.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If the crash kept you from working—or forced you into a lower-paying job—you can claim those losses. That includes missed hours, lost benefits, and future income you can no longer earn.
Pain and Suffering Damages
The law allows for payment for the physical pain and mental effects caused by the crash. These damages are harder to measure but just as real.
Property Damage Compensation
This includes repairs or replacement for your vehicle, as well as damaged belongings inside your car.
Punitive Damages in Serious Cases
If the trucking company or driver acted with gross disregard for safety—like driving drunk or ignoring maintenance—you may receive extra damages meant to punish that behavior.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Truck Accident?
Figuring out who’s responsible is one of the most important parts of your case. Truck accidents often involve more than just the driver.
The Truck Driver’s Potential Liability
The driver might be at fault for speeding, texting, fatigue, or breaking road rules. Hours-of-service violations are a common problem.
Trucking Company Responsibility
If the company pressured the driver to skip rest breaks or failed to check their driving history, they can be held accountable.
Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers
Faulty brakes, tires, or steering parts may point to the maker of the truck or parts. These companies must ensure their products are safe.
Cargo Loading Companies
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause a truck to tip or lose control. If someone else loaded the trailer, they could share the blame.
Government Entities for Road Conditions
When poor road design, bad signage, or large potholes play a role, a local or state agency might be liable.
What Evidence Makes a Strong Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident cases need strong proof—more than a photo and a police report. Gathering detailed evidence helps show exactly what happened.
Electronic Logging Devices and Black Box Data
These systems track the truck’s speed, braking, rest breaks, and hours driven. Your attorney can request this data to see if the driver broke any rules.
Driver Qualification Files and Records
Trucking companies must keep detailed records on their drivers, including training, driving history, and drug tests.
Maintenance and Inspection Reports
Trucks need regular checks and repairs. If the company skipped these steps, it may help prove negligence.
Witness Statements and Expert Testimony
Eyewitnesses and accident reconstruction experts can help explain how the crash happened and who caused it.
Medical Documentation
Your medical records connect your injuries to the crash. They help justify the amount of money you’re asking for.
How Can a Texas Truck Accident Attorney Help?
Hiring an attorney can make a major difference in the outcome of your case. They don’t just file paperwork—they build your case from the ground up.
Conducting a Thorough Investigation
Your attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, pull black box data, and work with crash experts when needed.
Identifying All Liable Parties
Truck crashes often involve multiple layers of blame. A good lawyer will uncover everyone who played a role.
Managing Complex Insurance Negotiations
Insurance companies rarely offer fair payouts upfront. Your lawyer can push back, using facts and law to demand proper compensation.
Calculating Fair Compensation
Attorneys calculate the full cost of your injuries—not just your bills, but the income and quality of life you’ve lost.
Litigation Experience and Courtroom Representation
If the at-fault party refuses to pay a fair settlement, your lawyer can take them to court and argue your case before a judge or jury.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident
Even honest mistakes can weaken your case. Knowing what not to do helps protect your right to recover.
Delaying Medical Treatment
Waiting too long to see a doctor lets the other side argue that your injuries weren’t serious—or didn’t come from the crash.
Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Without Representation
These adjusters may seem friendly, but they’re trained to protect their company’s money. Let your lawyer handle the calls.
Accepting Early Settlement Offers
Quick settlements often leave out future costs like therapy or lost income. Always let an attorney review any offer before you sign.
Not Following Doctor’s Orders
Missing appointments or ignoring instructions makes it seem like you’re not really hurt. Stick to your treatment plan.
Posting About Your Accident on Social Media
Photos, check-ins, or casual comments can be used against you. Keep details of your accident offline.
What Questions Should I Ask When Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Not all lawyers have the tools to take on a trucking case. Ask these questions to find someone who’s ready to handle yours.
Experience with Commercial Truck Accident Cases
Ask how many truck accident cases they’ve handled and what the outcomes were.
Success Rate and Past Settlements
Find out what kinds of results they’ve gotten for similar clients.
Resources Available for Investigation
A serious case may need experts, investigators, and crash reconstruction specialists. Does the firm have access to these resources?
Fee Structure and Payment Terms
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if you do. Ask how they calculate their fee and what costs you may owe.
Communication Style and Availability
You should feel comfortable reaching out. Ask how often you’ll get updates and who will be your main point of contact.
Contact Our Experienced Texas Trucking Crash Attorneys Now
Truck accidents often bring on huge expenses, long recovery times, and a mountain of paperwork. Trying to take on the insurance company or trucking business without legal help often leads to low payouts or denied claims.
The clock is ticking, and evidence fades quickly. Don’t give the other side an advantage. Let the team at Tyson Law Firm step in and protect your rights.
We have handled many commercial trucking claims across Texas. We know the laws, understand how these companies operate, and have the tools to build a strong case for full and fair compensation.
During a free consultation, we’ll go over your situation, answer questions, and explain how we can help. We also work on a contingency fee basis—so you won’t owe anything unless we recover money for you.
Contact us today to schedule your free case review. Let us help you take the next step toward the compensation you deserve.
